Post by Woody Williams on Apr 21, 2009 11:47:02 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Daniel 6:1-4, 6-7, 10-12
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It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps,
stationed throughout the whole kingdom, and over them three
presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so
that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself
above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent
spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole
kingdom. So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for
complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they
could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was
faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him.
So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said
to him, "O King Darius, live forever! All the presidents of the
kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the
governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and
enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human,
for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of
lions."
Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued
to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward
Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to
his God and praise him, just as he had done previously. The
conspirators came and found Daniel praying and seeking mercy before
his God. Then they approached the king and said concerning the
interdict, "O king! Did you not sign an interdict, that anyone who
prays to anyone, divine or human, within thirty days except to you, O
king, shall be thrown into a den of lions?" The king answered, "The
thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
which cannot be revoked."
Devotional
----------
Daniel was set, but God destroyed the scheme that was hatched to
destroy Daniel. Of course, the story ends with God closing the mouths
of the lions so that they did not hurt Daniel. The story demonstrates
God's care for his faithful witnesses. Not all witnesses have been
spared in that manner. Many have died and we have named them martyrs
- people who died because they would not renounce God or Jesus. God
depends on believers to carry his message of life eternal forward
from generation to generation. It is now our turn.
Prayer
-----------
Give me courage to speak of the gift of life and life eternal that
you give us, O Lord. Amen
----------
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps,
stationed throughout the whole kingdom, and over them three
presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so
that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself
above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent
spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole
kingdom. So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for
complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they
could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was
faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him.
So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said
to him, "O King Darius, live forever! All the presidents of the
kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the
governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and
enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human,
for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of
lions."
Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued
to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward
Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to
his God and praise him, just as he had done previously. The
conspirators came and found Daniel praying and seeking mercy before
his God. Then they approached the king and said concerning the
interdict, "O king! Did you not sign an interdict, that anyone who
prays to anyone, divine or human, within thirty days except to you, O
king, shall be thrown into a den of lions?" The king answered, "The
thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
which cannot be revoked."
Devotional
----------
Daniel was set, but God destroyed the scheme that was hatched to
destroy Daniel. Of course, the story ends with God closing the mouths
of the lions so that they did not hurt Daniel. The story demonstrates
God's care for his faithful witnesses. Not all witnesses have been
spared in that manner. Many have died and we have named them martyrs
- people who died because they would not renounce God or Jesus. God
depends on believers to carry his message of life eternal forward
from generation to generation. It is now our turn.
Prayer
-----------
Give me courage to speak of the gift of life and life eternal that
you give us, O Lord. Amen